RAWspace is a program aimed at supporting independent Tasmanian artists to develop new work. Ultimately, we would like to see some of the projects supported through RAWspace appearing in future Theatre Royal seasons, diversifying the type of work we present and the audiences we reach.

We are seeking to support projects that will engage audiences or the public through live performance or performance installation, working in any artform. Proposed projects may have an intended outcome in a venue, site, or digital platform.

In 2026, RAWspace will align with the TAS28 Audience Development Strategy, a key focus of the Tasmanian Performing Arts Centre (TPAC) Network over the next three years. As this strategy prioritises engaging audiences aged 20–45, we are specifically seeking RAWspace applications from artists within this age group who are developing new work.

Works can be at any stage of development and, while an outcome is expected at the end of the program, this could take the form of a research sharing, work in progress showing, or public performance.

In 2026 we are seeking applications led by artists and teams predominantly consisting of creatives aged 20 to 45.

Our 2026 call out is for Tasmanian based artists and their teams who have an idea to creatively develop work through their own rigorous weeklong process.

We are seeking fresh ideas and approaches to performance making from artists for their audiences of similar age and demographic.

There will be two (2) residencies available in 2026 who will be offered:

• A five day residency at the Theatre Royal of your own planning and creative development.
• 16 hours of Theatre Royal technician time to assist with your creative development.
• A sharing of your development to the RAWspace Critical Community (see below) and your preference of invited guests.

You and your team will be required to commit across one of the following three weeks for your creative development.

• Monday 20 to Friday 25 July (with option of sharing on Friday 25 at 5pm)
• Monday 27 to Friday 31July (with option of sharing on Friday 31 at 5pm)
• Monday 3 to Friday 7 August (with option of sharing on Friday 7 Aug at 5pm)

In your application you will need to supply a list of confirmed artists signed by all of the artists/creatives you wish to collaborate with during your development.

Funding of up to $5,000 per project

• The funds provided will need to contribute to creative fees, materials and/or production costs (you will need to provide a project budget - see below).
• Funding from other sources is encouraged but not required.
• Theatre Royal will provide the Studio Theatre to be used as a development/rehearsal space with some access to technical equipment and technical support – to be negotiated, depending on project requirements.

Development & presentation space

We will make the Theatre Royal’s Studio Theatre available for each of the two creative development projects to use for the five-day Monday to Friday period.

You have the option of presenting a sharing on the Friday of your residency week at 5pm.

Presentation of a work-in-progress showing, or public performance.

All projects will share an outcome of their development in a suitable format, which could include:

• A talk/presentation of research or concept development.
• A short showing, or excerpts of work-in-progress; or
• A full performance that is in development.

The main purpose of the presentation will be to facilitate critical feedback from the RAWspace’s Critical Community (see below) Artists may also invite their peers and own audience to their nominated sharing and seek feedback from them audiences using their own strategies.

Access to RAWspace’s Critical Community

Whilst your 2026 activity will primarily focus on collaborations between Tasmanian artists of your choosing, your successful application will also give you access to RAWspace’s newest evolution, The RAWspace Critical Community (RCC)

This critical community is a register of Tasmanian based makers and producer peers that are willing to make themselves available to be invited to each of the sharing's at the completion of each RAWspace residency week.

• Artists can choose to have a follow up one on one casual meeting with up to two members of the RCC post sharing (ie: up to 2 meetings)
• These meetings can take place post the development period, in a space and at a time that is mutually agreed upon between artist and critical community member.
• The meetings can be about almost anything: a specific question on the project, grant, career development, or any other aspect of producing, making and presenting the work in Tasmania and or beyond.
• The pairings will be self-selected.
• A $200 honorarium paid to the artist and RCC member per meeting (ie: $100 for each).

The honorariums sit outside of the $5000 per project and can be access upon confirmation of who you will be meeting and when.

Please note not all listed on the register will be available to attend your sharing and you must choose from the people who attended your sharing, so the conversation starts from the basis of shared experience and outcome.

The 2026 RAWspace program is open to:  

• Independent Tasmanian artists, or groups of artists aged between 20 – 45 years, at any stage of their career. This aligns to the TAS28 Audience Development Strategy that is a key focus of the TPAC network in Lutruwita/Tasmania over the next three years.

• Lead artists must be residents of Tasmania.

• It is understood that artists may be working with or receiving support from a funded Tasmanian company, however, proposals will only be accepted from the individual artist and not the funded company. 

We want to support the development of new work or provide the space and resources to realise an existing work in development. 

We are especially interested in (but not limited to) receiving applications that;

• Are sophisticated and relevant in their proposed community needs and engagement processes.
• Are innovative in the way they encompass their approach to cross artform/multimedia/screen based.
• Are performance works that intend to have a public outcome at some point. Projects may be at any stage of development, and we encourage diverse form and content.

We are not looking for:

• Work that has had or is about to have a public outcome.
• Creative teams led by and consisting predominantly of artists below 20 years and above 45 years of age.

You and your team will be required to commit across one of the following three weeks for your creative development.

• Monday 20 to Friday 24 July (with option of sharing on Friday 24 July at 5pm)
• Monday 27 to Friday 31 July (with option of sharing on Friday 31July at 5pm)
• Monday 3 to Friday 7 August (with option of sharing on Friday 7 Aug at 5pm)

Upon application, you and your team will need to ensure you are all be available for all three of the above weeks and then we will allocate a week to the successful applicants and their projects.

We encourage proposals from artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, people with disability, and LGBTQAI+ artists.

Proposals should include the following information:

Project description (400 words max.)

• What is the idea?
• What is the form of the work?
• What development has already taken place?

Creative Team (200 words max)

• Who is working on the project, what are their roles and what is their experience in making new work?
• Please supply a short bio of each person working in your team (no more than 200 words each)
• Please supply a short 100-word statement as to their role on the project and whether this project allows the creative to consolidate, extend or try something new in their practice

Creative Outcomes (200 words max)

• Name three creative outcomes are you seeking to achieve through your five day RAWspace residency.

Audience engagement (250 words max.)

• Who is your intended community that you intend to work with or attract?
• Who is your intended audience that you may want to see the finished work?
• What will be the request of the community and/or the audiences experience?

Project management

• Provide a brief timeline outlining the proposed development process/activity of the three creative outcomes are you seeking to achieve across the 5 days of your development?
• Give a brief overview of any technical requirements you might have, noting the Theatre Royal will provide basic needs (the space and work lights), while additional resources will need discussion with the Theatre Royal Program Manager.

• You may require an auspicing body. If you require assistance in this area, please let us know and we can make suggestions of organisations that can help you.

• Provide a budget outlining project expenditure, any income sources received or expected, and the amount requested through RAWspace 2025 (max. $5,000) – a template is available to download on the application form should you need one.

Support material

Please provide examples of key collaborators’ previous work, and/or any current/existing material for your proposed project.

Our preference for audio and video material (up to a maximum of 5 minutes duration) is to be linked to a URL. If attaching files, they should be no more than 5MB. 

If you have difficulty submitting your support material, please contact Steve Mayhew, Program Manager via email programming@theatreroyal.com.au

Applications for RAWspace 2026 are now open

A selection panel chaired by the Theatre Royal will consider all proposals. All applicants will be notified in the week commencing 22 May 2026.

Will the Theatre Royal produce successful projects?

Theatre Royal does not currently have the capacity to produce new work, however, we will work with artists to identify the most appropriate resources and process required to realise their project.

Will the Theatre Royal present successful projects?

We are interested in presenting new work within our annual Season. 2025 marked a year where three former RAWspace residencies premiered in Tasmania.

LIFE/CYCLE by Jane Longhurst (Hobart), Wilds by ROOKE (Launceston & Hobart) and Finding the Boy Beyond the Rainbow by Rod Anderson (Hobart).

There are a range of factors that we consider when curating our program, which we can discuss with creative teams.

What venues would Theatre Royal present work in?

We have two theatres – the 698-seat heritage Theatre Royal and 284-seat Studio Theatre. We are also keen to use other spaces in and around our building, including the Ian Potter Recital Hall or The Salon within The Hedberg. Off-site works are also a possibility.

If I take up this opportunity must the work be presented by the Theatre Royal?

No, not everything will be relevant or suitable for the Theatre Royal. Part of the program will be helping successful projects realise the most appropriate long-term production ambitions and how to achieve those. Future presentations of the work will require an acknowledgment of support received through the RAWspace program.

What do you mean by “any art form”, or “diverse art forms”?

We’re trying not to be too prescriptive. We know that the type of work artists are making and the ways they are making it, are constantly changing and being redefined. The interests and demands of audiences are also continually changing.

While we would like to support performance projects that engage audiences in some way, they could take a range of different forms, including:

• Devised performance
• Text-based plays
• Dance
• Spoken word
• Performance lecture
• Musical theatre or cabaret
• Performance installation
• Digital outcomes, including Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) projects
• Radio plays or podcasts
• Multidisciplinary projects

You don’t have to fit into a category, just tell us what your form is, or you think it could be, and how people might experience or engage with your work.

What if I don’t know who the audience for my work will be?

Don’t panic, you don’t need to know everything yet. We have asked applicants to identify potential audiences or audience experience because, ultimately, we are interested in work that engages with the public in some way, either as audience members or participants. Your idea might not have reached that stage yet, but at some point, we want you to think about and develop an audience for your work.

I’ve already received funding, is my project still eligible?

Yes it is. We won’t discriminate against projects with or without funding, as you long as you can demonstrate that you have adequate resources to undertake the project and that artists are being paid.

We are a company with annual funding, can we apply?

We are prioritising support for independent artists and groups who don’t currently receive annual funding. If you receive annual funding to develop and present work, we should have a separate discussion about how you might partner with the Theatre Royal.

What technical equipment is available in the space?

We can provide you a standard rehearsal kit:

• Projector
• Screen
• Mixing Desk
• Speakers
• 2 x Microphones
• Tables
• Chairs
• DSLR Camera for stills and 4K video

We will discuss any requirements excess to the above.

The Studio Theatre will be provided with basic work lights, not access to the full lighting grid. Access to and experimenting with additional lighting or technical equipment, and appropriate personnel for their operation can be discussed.

We will help by providing in-house support where we can, but the extent of this will depend on the project and our capacity at the time. For example, if you have a work that has a high level of tech needs and requires constant operation, you will probably need to factor in a tech or production manager within your team and budget.

If I have my own technician, can they operate Theatre Royal equipment?

This will depend on the equipment and personnel. As a rule, the use of our equipment requires supervision from the Theatre Royal’s technical staff. We have allocated some technical support to each project, however, and will work with you to assess your requirements, available equipment, the capacity of personnel, and any other requirements around training or supervision.

Will I still own the copyright in my work?

Yes, you will. We will have an agreement with you that explicitly states artists retain all intellectual property rights, and moral rights, in work they create.

Does marketing support include a photographer for a hero image?

No, it does not. This would need to be an external contractor who you would have to source and pay for. We can help with some great contacts though.

My collaborators are outside Tasmania? Is there reliable internet inside the venue?

Yes, we have great Wi-Fi, which will be made available to your team.

Can I use other areas in the Theatre Royal & The Hedberg and bring the public into it?

Possibly. This will depend on the production schedule across our venues and what you would like to do. Use of the space and some equipment may require an induction or supervision.

What kind of support can you offer regarding performance, dramaturgy, set design, film and projection advice?

It's best that you factor creative expertise and collaborations into your plan and team. We can certainly help identify potential collaborators or advisors. As mentioned above, all projects will share the outcome of their development. We would hope to use a showing to facilitate critical feedback from professional practitioners, producers, and technicians. Artists may also like to present work to the public to seek feedback from audiences, or test audience engagement strategies.